Telma Costa

Origin

Juiz de Fora, MG

Also known as

Telma Correa Costa Da Cunha

Years active

1968–1989

Genres

mpb, samba, bossa nova

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Telma Costa was a Brazilian singer born in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, on November 17, 1953. She was the youngest daughter of Maria Aparecida Correa Costa, a pianist and professor of piano and choral singing. Costa was the sister of composers Sueli Costa and Lisieux Costa, and the mother of singer Fernanda Cunha. She began her artistic career in her hometown, forming the vocal group Trieto with her sisters. At the age of 15, she was invited by Chico Buarque to perform the song "Sem Fantasia" with him in a show in Juiz de Fora.

In 1971, Costa moved to Rio de Janeiro, where she launched her professional career. She joined a vocal group alongside Miúcha, Olívia Hime, and Elizabeth Jobim, participating in shows by Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes. She performed in various venues in Rio de Janeiro and also collaborated with composer Tite de Lemos. In 1978, she recorded the track "Quatro de Dezembro" on Sueli Costa's album "Vida de Artista," featuring arrangements by Dori Caymmi. A significant moment in her career was in 1980 when she recorded a duet with Chico Buarque of the song "Eu Te Amo," a collaboration between Chico Buarque and Tom Jobim, which was included in the album "Vida."

In 1983, Telma Costa released her first and only solo LP, also titled "Telma Costa." The album featured songs like "Coisa Feita" (João Bosco, Aldir Blanc, Paulo Emílio), "Lembra" (Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins), "Ilusão" (Dori Caymmi, Paulo César Pinheiro), "Fruta Boa" (Milton Nascimento, Fernando Brant), and "Certeza da Beleza" (Caetano Veloso), with whom she also performed a duet. The arrangements for the album were handled by Dori Caymmi and César Camargo Mariano. Costa also contributed to television soundtracks, recording "Fruta Boa" for the telenovela "Paraíso" and "Adoração" for "Eu Prometo." She passed away prematurely on November 7, 1989, in Rio de Janeiro.